Travis Kelce is experiencing March Madness from the sidelines, watching as his Kansas City Chiefs teammates passionately support their alma maters, while Kelce himself endures the tournament quietly, his former school, Cincinnati, absent once again.
Before becoming a dominant NFL star, Kelce was a 6-foot-5 forward at Cleveland Heights High School, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in his final game, though his team fell 81-71 to Warren Harding. That connection to basketball remains personal and meaningful for him.
“I got no horse in the race, unfortunately. Go Bearcats,” Kelce said, offering faint support for Cincinnati, whose absence from the tournament leaves him without a rooting interest this year.
Meanwhile, Duke, the 2026 tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, garnered cornerback Kristian Fulton‘s loyalty, as he enthusiastically declared, “I’m rocking with Duke every time!” showing a stark contrast between Kelce‘s quiet stance and his teammates’ active college pride.
Defensive end George Karlaftis, a Purdue alum, backed the Boilermakers, posting, “Purdue – obviously. #BoilerUp,” noting they could win the whole tournament. His enthusiasm illustrates how former programs continue to influence NFL players even years after leaving college.
Linebacker Nick Bolton, a two-time First-team All-SEC selection at Missouri, quietly dropped a Truman the Tiger sticker, while wide receiver Xavier Worthy and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa independently supported Houston, the No. 2 seed and reigning national runner-up.
Offensive tackle Josh Simmons, drafted in 2025 from Ohio State, proudly wrote, “BUCKEYES TIL IT SOUNDS LIKE A SIREN,” while center Creed Humphrey threw support behind Hofstra Pride, a No. 13 seed. Guard Kingsley Suamataia and nose tackle Khyiris Tonga both chose BYU, with Tonga sharing a photo of a young Andy Reid suited up at BYU, highlighting the sentimental ties players maintain to formative influences.
Former Chiefs staff honored by Pro Football Hall of Fame
Longtime Chiefs equipment manager and co-historian Mike Davidson earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 “Awards of Excellence” class, capping a 37-year career that began with the Cleveland Browns in 1984 before moving to Kansas City with coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Davidson’s tenure transformed Chiefs operations, working under six head coaches and alongside 23 Pro Football Hall of Famers. He also shaped league-wide equipment standards through the Certification Committee and contributed to the Equipment Managers’ Certification Manual. Even after retiring in 2011, Davidson remained with the organization as co-historian and curator of the Chiefs Hall of Honor, preserving the franchise’s legacy for future generations.
As March Madness divides the Chiefs roster, with players enthusiastically backing their college roots, Kelce‘s quiet endurance contrasts with their active allegiances, highlighting the balance of personal loyalties and professional responsibilities that define the lives of elite athletes.
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